Origin
The Semillon Gris grapes for the ‘Tin Soldier’ are sourced from a single vineyard in the “Siebritskloof” (Siebret’s Valley) on Swartland’s Paardeberg mountain. The vineyard was planted with cuttings of Semillon Gris taken from the old bush vine vineyard where the Semillon for the ‘Paper Kite’ comes from and is believed to be the only 100% Semillon Gris vineyard in South Africa. The soils are granitic sand and the seven-year-old vines are trellised.
Producer
Thorne & Daughters was started in 2013 by John and Tasha Seccombe with the aim of producing authentic wines from the Western Cape. It is widely acknowledged to be one of the forerunners of the ‘New Wave’ wine movement in South Africa. Thorne & Daughters is mainly focused on producing Cape white blends, from 15 different growers in Bot River, Stellenbosch, Voor Paardeberg, Swartland, Citrusdal, Franschhoek and Overberg. Fruit sourcing has relied on a network of close winemaking friends and knocking on doors to gather the various parcels with which they work. John and Tasha did not want to be limited geographically, so the net was cast wide and has been driven by “a happy synergy of people, place, soil and vines”.
Grape Variety
100% Semillon Gris
Less than 40% of the Semillon Gris grapes were destemmed and crushed and underwent fermentation on the skins with natural yeasts for around 10 days in order to develop colour and structure, as well as achieving a wonderful interplay between fruity and savoury flavours. The remaining grapes were whole bunch pressed in an old Vaslin press and underwent fermentation in 225-litre French oak barrels. John has increased the proportion of whole bunch pressed wines in the 2020 blend, resulting in a more layered and aromatically complex wine. After fermentation, the wine underwent spontaneous malolactic fermentation and was aged in barrel on its lees. No sulphur additions were made until August following the vintage.
Food Match
Perfect match with white meat dishes; chicken or pork would make the ideal candidate. Also with spicy Asian cuisine.
Alcohol Percentage
12%
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